jerrydyer
Active member
there is a good half space unit you can probably find cheap The DBX 160 I think Its a subtle one but its only half rack space.
glpg80
Well-known member
the klark seems to be over my head. they have a BUS function for solo bus output to a mixing board to tell what the gate function is doing, before you even insert it internally into the circuit. however this is nice - it seems to be a live FOH rig piece and not used for a guitar rig. from the research that i can pull it also seems they like to musically alter the sound with their products purposely and quote "in ways that seem musically pleasing to the ear"
for $1,800 new, those units claim to be coloring the tone. they seem to be way above my intended purpose/use, however im sure they do what is intended very nicely - just not what im looking for in such a large price range. if i ever do get a studio for recording, or a recording rack, i will however remember this unit.
BSS seems to be all about limiting spikes and upper end "S" sounds on vocal use, again, im not sure i understand how this can benefit in a guitar rig - there are harmonics that i would like not to be touched and im thinking this would be intended more for vocal use. maybe you could help me out a little in understanding more of its features?
TC's MIDI is nice, but i cant find any references or much information as to value, but from what i have heard so far, i like it the most as of yet in my price range. the downside is that i would need 2 of them for stereo, so that doubles the price. but whats nice, is that i can still recall with MIDI functions - so that still makes it worth the effort.
the emperical labs is also impressive and seems to be literally the swiss army nife in this bunch - ive seen recommendations from vocals to drums to use in guitar rigs from big name artists. however since the technology is somewhat new as you recall you dislike their road worthyness. however from mystandpoint they seem to be used as a studio vocal standpoint. i cant find anyone who uses it in a rig as a beneficial effect
the other negative is that i would need to purchase 2 of them for stereo use which ends up being a large investment somewhat close to the klark series 500, 504, and the new 2009 model 540.
DBX - i have seen alot of recommendations both ways - the a and b units as well.
FMR - after doing more research i believe i like the TC more for its band use capabilties. that really makes a difference over this unit i believe.
i think im going with the TC units - they seem to be intended more for what im looking for in a guitar rig and also closer to my price range. i cant justify spending $1,800+ for a klark unit just for compression, im not a recording engineer and far from it, so i dont think i could benefit from having that kind of firepower however nice it could be.
thanks for the help, opinions and recommendations
for $1,800 new, those units claim to be coloring the tone. they seem to be way above my intended purpose/use, however im sure they do what is intended very nicely - just not what im looking for in such a large price range. if i ever do get a studio for recording, or a recording rack, i will however remember this unit.
BSS seems to be all about limiting spikes and upper end "S" sounds on vocal use, again, im not sure i understand how this can benefit in a guitar rig - there are harmonics that i would like not to be touched and im thinking this would be intended more for vocal use. maybe you could help me out a little in understanding more of its features?
TC's MIDI is nice, but i cant find any references or much information as to value, but from what i have heard so far, i like it the most as of yet in my price range. the downside is that i would need 2 of them for stereo, so that doubles the price. but whats nice, is that i can still recall with MIDI functions - so that still makes it worth the effort.
the emperical labs is also impressive and seems to be literally the swiss army nife in this bunch - ive seen recommendations from vocals to drums to use in guitar rigs from big name artists. however since the technology is somewhat new as you recall you dislike their road worthyness. however from mystandpoint they seem to be used as a studio vocal standpoint. i cant find anyone who uses it in a rig as a beneficial effect
the other negative is that i would need to purchase 2 of them for stereo use which ends up being a large investment somewhat close to the klark series 500, 504, and the new 2009 model 540.DBX - i have seen alot of recommendations both ways - the a and b units as well.
FMR - after doing more research i believe i like the TC more for its band use capabilties. that really makes a difference over this unit i believe.
i think im going with the TC units - they seem to be intended more for what im looking for in a guitar rig and also closer to my price range. i cant justify spending $1,800+ for a klark unit just for compression, im not a recording engineer and far from it, so i dont think i could benefit from having that kind of firepower however nice it could be.
thanks for the help, opinions and recommendations
K
Klark
Member
Keep in mind you don't have to purchase a new Klark or BSS. They're bulletproof, the pots, jacks, and switches don't break. There's no display to fade away or die. They're an incredible value at usually under/around $500 used. And they're still making them, so even if something does break, it's very easily serviceable.
You're definitely gonna be buying a used TC, as they don't make the TC any longer, which should tell you something right there. Not to mention, cheap pots, jacks, buttons, display, etc..would scare me. I'm using a G-Major in my rig, and it frightens me sometimes because they're well known for freaking out right when you need it most. In a studio you probably be fine with the TC, so yah, it sounds like it be the best piece for you!
I'm not trying to persuade you in anyway, just offering my experience. You seem like you know what you're looking for, and that's half the battle!
You're definitely gonna be buying a used TC, as they don't make the TC any longer, which should tell you something right there. Not to mention, cheap pots, jacks, buttons, display, etc..would scare me. I'm using a G-Major in my rig, and it frightens me sometimes because they're well known for freaking out right when you need it most. In a studio you probably be fine with the TC, so yah, it sounds like it be the best piece for you!
I'm not trying to persuade you in anyway, just offering my experience. You seem like you know what you're looking for, and that's half the battle!
glpg80
Well-known member
yeah the klark would be what i would LOVE to have, i heard they also discontinued the 500 and 504 model as of april this year which kinda sucks :/
i found a lagner compressor, but theres only like 10 made in the entire world. so if something went down with it, i can forget about getting it fixed or another persay since schematics are out of the question.
as far as the klark, it would be like giving a ferrari to a 4 year old - im not sure i could benefit from having such a unit because its intended purpose is much higher than stereo compression im looking for in a W/D/W rig design. but there is a plethora of features i love about it, including external metering, and the big one is linking 2 channels together with the push of a button (stereo) use.
the MIDI would be nice though... i also like the tone of what TC units do to my sound.
i also owned a g-major for ~4 years. i got fed up with the internal level controls messing with your sound so i sold it to casey hanson here on the forum. i dont miss that particular unit in itself, but i do miss the tones i was getting with it. i definately enjoyed it.
emperial labs versus klark, klark wins hands down, because i dont want to spend $2,000 for a stereo rig since emperial labs distressors are mono analog units.
great for studio use, but not for a rig.
so if klarks can be had for that price you mentioned, i would definately prefer to at least try it - i am just weary of the coloration they clame to do (openly and on purpose). ive heard and used some big name products before that claim no coloration or tone robbing.... and ive only experienced the opposite and have to turn around and sell it. after years of doing that the klark is what im judging on this basis. maybe i should be a little more open to it
i still think the TC's would be alright especially with the MIDI. however i do get what you mean with the LCD screen and other options.
thanks klark for your experience and recommendations... i might try a klark and see how it goes. if things dont work out ill hunt down two TC units and be done - the MIDI use is the reason why over the emperial, and also the tone/color of TC's units i know i enjoy.
thanks again guys
i found a lagner compressor, but theres only like 10 made in the entire world. so if something went down with it, i can forget about getting it fixed or another persay since schematics are out of the question.
as far as the klark, it would be like giving a ferrari to a 4 year old - im not sure i could benefit from having such a unit because its intended purpose is much higher than stereo compression im looking for in a W/D/W rig design. but there is a plethora of features i love about it, including external metering, and the big one is linking 2 channels together with the push of a button (stereo) use.
the MIDI would be nice though... i also like the tone of what TC units do to my sound.
i also owned a g-major for ~4 years. i got fed up with the internal level controls messing with your sound so i sold it to casey hanson here on the forum. i dont miss that particular unit in itself, but i do miss the tones i was getting with it. i definately enjoyed it.
emperial labs versus klark, klark wins hands down, because i dont want to spend $2,000 for a stereo rig since emperial labs distressors are mono analog units.
great for studio use, but not for a rig.
so if klarks can be had for that price you mentioned, i would definately prefer to at least try it - i am just weary of the coloration they clame to do (openly and on purpose). ive heard and used some big name products before that claim no coloration or tone robbing.... and ive only experienced the opposite and have to turn around and sell it. after years of doing that the klark is what im judging on this basis. maybe i should be a little more open to it
i still think the TC's would be alright especially with the MIDI. however i do get what you mean with the LCD screen and other options.
thanks klark for your experience and recommendations... i might try a klark and see how it goes. if things dont work out ill hunt down two TC units and be done - the MIDI use is the reason why over the emperial, and also the tone/color of TC's units i know i enjoy.
thanks again guys
guitarslinger
New member
glpg80":rabnk2ln said:
why?
Since it doesn't have a computer inside, it shouldn't be too difficult for a competent tech to work on. (assuming he didn't goop the pcb, paint the caps, or something)
glpg80
Well-known member
thats what im thinking.
if it isnt, i wouldnt have a problem fixing it at all if it went down. but most stuff like this is usually epoxy covered which makes it useless if it becomes defaulty.
also, schematics cant be had for them which would make troubleshooting easier.
plus i have a specific tone im looking for, im not looking to add something i have no idea what it sounds like if you get what i mean. that would be a blind purchase and worth more hastle.
if it isnt, i wouldnt have a problem fixing it at all if it went down. but most stuff like this is usually epoxy covered which makes it useless if it becomes defaulty.
also, schematics cant be had for them which would make troubleshooting easier.
plus i have a specific tone im looking for, im not looking to add something i have no idea what it sounds like if you get what i mean. that would be a blind purchase and worth more hastle.
